Abstract

Background:
Veterinary clinic personnel are exposed to various occupational risks, including the transmission of zoonotic pathogens such as Rickettsia spp. and Ehrlichia spp., which can cause serious diseases in humans. In Mexico, although exposure to vector-borne agents has been documented among veterinary clinic personnel, there are no previous studies focused on this population in Yucatán, Mexico.

Aim:
To estimate the prevalence of rickettsial pathogens in veterinary clinic personnel in Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in six veterinary clinics using non-probability convenience sampling. Thirty-nine workers over 18 years old who provided informed consent were included. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture and analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay to detect antibodies against R. rickettsii, R. typhi, and E. chaffeensis. Prevalence estimates are presented as percentages with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (IC95%), calculated using the Wilson method for binomial proportions.

Results:
The prevalence of antibody single-antigen seroreactivity to R. rickettsii, R. typhi, and E. chaffeensis was 41.0% (16/39), 17.9% (7/39), and 0%, respectively. However, multi-antigen seroreactivity to R. rickettsia, and R. typhi was 12.8% (5/39); meanwhile, multi-antigen seroreactivity to R. rickettsii, R. typhi, and E. chaffeensis was 5.1% (2/39).

Conclusion:
This first exploratory study in Yucatán and southeastern Mexico indicates occupational exposure to Rickettsia spp. among veterinary clinic personnel and highlights the need for integrated prevention and surveillance strategies under a One Health approach.

Key words: Occupational exposure; Personnel in veterinary clinics; Zoonosis.